El Torcal de Antequera Nature Reserve has no towns or villages within its boundaries, and yet has a long and distinguished human history. The presence of man goes back some 4,000 years, with remains having been found in caves and other areas. Extremely well preserved megalithic tombs just outside Antequera, have been proven to have been made with stone transported from El Torcal.

The Romans were also present, leaving behind one of their famous trademarks, a Roman road, as well as an open cast mine, relics of which can still be observed.

The Arabs recognised the strategic importance of the area, building a watch tower and burying the deceased.

In more modern times, El Torcal de Antequera Nature Reserve. has been used and is still used for the grazing of sheep and goats.

The town of Antequera is considered to be in the heart of Andalusia, both geographically and also in terms of road communication, since it is on the axis of the A-92, the motorway that crosses Andalusia from east to west, and the A-45, from north to south between Córdoba and Málaga.